Naoshi Mizuta / Nanaa Mihgo's Interview Part 2

Could you tell us what the new song will be used for?

I suppose I hadn’t explained that yet. (laughs) It’s a new song for the new battle content coming in August. The battle content will be divided into two stages, and today we recorded the background music for the first stage, known as “Sortie.”

Oh, so it’s background music for battle content after all. When I glanced over at the director’s desk earlier, I saw the word “Battle” in the score’s tentative title, so I figured it was battle-related. But after hearing you perform, the song didn’t seem all that battle-like.

Sortie is similar to a treasure hunt, and the request was to convey the idea of having a great time as you embark on an adventure. Themes like dire situations and the tension of facing powerful enemies would be coming later, so I thought it’d be better to clearly differentiate the music for the first and second stages, rather than compose something in-between that suits both.

It kind of sounds like an opening theme, as if something new is about to begin.

I know what you mean!

So the song is less about “battle” and more about “adventure.”

From there, when I was making a sample of the song, I thought, “The Nanaa Mihgo’s would be perfect for this!”

So it just happened to turn out that way when you were making it.

That’s right. It wasn’t my original intention to work with Nanaa Mihgo’s for this piece, but the idea hit me when I was composing. I thought it’d be great if the three of us could perform together again.

It makes me happy to hear you say that.

What did the two of you think when you were asked to record?

I showed up today wondering, “Is this going to be a battle theme?”

(laughs)

In my work, I’m often given instructions like, “This piece will be used in this kind of scene, so please convey this kind of emotion,” but this time there were no such directions at all. But knowing that Ms. Okabe and I were invited as Nanaa Mihgo’s, it was clear to me what kind of emotion was necessary from us. I may not have known what the song was for, but I had no doubts as to what I should express in my performance. It was a score I could play with ease.

What about you, Ms. Okabe?

I really love the Nanaa Mihgo’s, so I was really looking forward to performing together as a unit again. I received the sample audio and score ahead of time, and without even playing the song, I could already tell it was going to be a blast. It’s always fulfilling and a delight to work with Mr. Mizuta and Mr. Iga, and I treasure these opportunities. Performing this song was a lot of fun!

Is this the first time you’re working as Nanaa Mihgo’s since the 2018 event at Yomiuriland?

That's right. I actually asked both of them to work with me for “Devils’ Delight,” the theme of the Harvest Festival event, but that had a different vibe from Nanaa Mihgo's, didn't it? Even when we have the same members, it’s not Nanaa Mihgo’s without Mr. Iga on the piano and Ms. Okabe on the violin.

Then it sounds like your work as Nanaa Mihgo’s is more reflective of each of your personalities.

I agree. There are vibes that only Mr. Iga and Ms. Okabe can achieve or can only be expressed with the three of us together, and those are what I wanted to bring out in this song.

How long ago did you receive the sample and score for today’s recording?

I believe it was about a week ago.

It was the same for me.

That doesn’t sound like a lot of time beforehand. (laughs)

They’re both pros, so I don’t think it’d make much of a difference even if I gave them the score on the day of the recording. (laughs)

Not to sound ungrateful for you sending them in advance, but it’s as you say. (laughs)

So you just looked at the score on recording day and started perfecting it from there?

I mean, we certainly checked the sample and score sent to us in advance, but it’s really just like, “Oh okay! Guess we’ll see you on recording day!”

Me too. I just enjoyed the sample at home, and that was the end of it. I was like, “Sounds like a great song already!” then just put the score away.

(laughs)

Mr. Mizuta’s compositions bring out the best of the violin and other instruments, so all that’s left for me to do is build up my enthusiasm to perform.

What I said earlier was a little exaggerated, but a key point is the fact that Mr. Mizuta composes the music based on the premise that it’ll be performed by me and Ms. Okabe. The song just flows through me without any issues.

What are your thoughts now that you’ve finished recording?

I really thought it was a great idea to do a live recording.

Ah, I agree.

There were quite a few parts where I felt, “I couldn’t have played that way if I was listening to a prerecorded piano.”

That said, I was playing the piano differently with every take.

(laughs)

There’s just a different level of exhilaration when it comes to live recordings.

The best part about live recordings is having the other performers nearby and simultaneously reacting to the same music.

Something about it brings out more from within me.

But isn’t it rare for the piano and violin to be recorded together?

It really is. Most of the time, I’m just playing the melody to a piano that was recorded on another day.

On the other hand, you had some exchanges during today’s recording like, “If you’re going to play the violin like that, should I hold back on the piano here?”

That’s one of the things we could try because it was a live recording. Another good thing, by the way, was that the piano in today’s studio is a Bösendorfer*.

When I think of recording studios, I typically think of Steinway pianos.

In most cases, I find that Steinway pianos outshine the rest with their brilliant high notes. Depending on the situation, however, that brilliance may not always be the best option. This time we had a Bösendorfer with extended bass, and its voluminous sounds felt great to play. I’d recommend listening for it when you hear the song.

Are there any other key aspects we should listen for in the song?

In this song, after the intro has played its role, it’s followed by this chord called A/G*, and we stay in that A/G while the violin comes in. This A/G is just nuts!

That’s the part you’d point out? (laughs)

I think that was the highlight of your work in this particular piece.

I see what you mean! I agree.

On that subject, I actually came up with the intro part afterward. I made the A/G part first, then added on a “catchy intro.”

Your songs come with a high point that makes me go, “Now THIS is the Mizuta special!” In this case, that’d be the A/G part.

I really get what you mean. (laughs)

I don't know how many of our readers would be familiar with slash chords. (laughs)

I hope they can just go along with it without understanding! That’s the biggest point of appeal for this song. Aside from that, we can’t forget about the down chorus*.

I just can’t help but want to put them in. When Nanaa Mihgo’s comes together, I always think to myself, “I’ve gone and added another down chorus!”* but who am I to fix what isn’t broken? (laughs)

In the down chorus, the rhythm section and number of sounds are held back, and the melody becomes the highlight of the song. The melody is the same as the main chorus, but it’s very difficult to compose one that shines in both the down chorus and the chorus. It’s amazing how I can listen to it over and over again and still not get tired of it!

I also reharmonized* the chorus as I pleased, so I hope you’ll listen for that as well.

Last but not least, do you have any messages for our readers?

Being involved in FFXI has allowed me to experience many different things. I couldn't be happier to be able to create music with such wonderful, top-notch musicians and to have them tell me how much they enjoyed it. I hope to have more opportunities like this in the future, and I would like to repay them in some way.

I’d be glad if you could enjoy the music from the bottom of your heart as you play the game. I hope you’ll have a great time!

It’s been a long time since we were invited to play as the Nanaa Mihgo's, and I was able to play freely without restriction. It’s also been a while since we heard Nanaa Mihgo's in the game, so I hope you’ll enjoy it during your adventures.